With more than 3,800 students from 37 states and 28 countries, UNC Asheville is one of the nation's top public liberal arts universities and one of the 17 institutions in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville offers more than 30 majors leading to the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science and bachelor of fine arts degrees. UNC Asheville also awards a Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Academics

Average Lecture/Seminar Class Size: 20

Average Lab/Studio Class Size: 18

Most Popular Majors by Enrollment (Fall 2015): Environmental Studies, Psychology, Biology, Health and Wellness Promotion, Management, English and Engineering

Fulbright Awards: 45 students and alumni have been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarships

Undergraduate Research: More than 60 percent of students complete original research in their field of study through the university's nationally recognized Undergraduate Research Program. UNC Asheville founded the National Conference on Undergraduate Research 30 years ago.

Study Abroad and Study Away: 17 percent of students who graduated between 2011 and 2015 took advantage of learning opportunities in other countries while enrolled at UNC Asheville.

COPLAC: UNC Asheville is the headquarters for the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, a 30-member organization of state-supported liberal arts colleges that recognize the importance of liberal arts and sciences education for success in a complex global society.

AACSB International: UNC Asheville proudly maintains accreditation with the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AASCB). Less than one-third of management and accountancy programs in the U.S. earn this recognition and only 5% of the 16,000 business programs worldwide are accredited by AACSB. This is the most recognized, rigorous, and prestigious international distinction afforded to programs in management and accountancy. AACSB praises UNC Asheville's liberal arts mission, characterized by a unique interdisciplinary approach to undergraduate education and commitment to lifelong learning.

Campus Life

Residence Halls: 37 percent of degree-seeking undergraduates live on campus, while another third live within a one-mile radius of campus.

Athletics: 16 NCAA Division 1 teams

Student Groups: More than 60 clubs and organizations, ranging from honor societies to intramural sports

The Sherrill Center: Wilma M. Sherrill Center is the university's largest facility, offering a range of academic and outreach programs focused on healthy living and wellness promotion. The center is home to the Kimmel Arena and to the academic Department of Health and Wellness, with classrooms, dedicated space for undergraduate research, a high-tech teaching/demonstration kitchen, and research and learning labs. The Sherrill Center includes an expansive fitness center, a biofeedback lab and meditation room, and the Wellness Café.

Kimmel Arena: The Kimmel Arena, which is part of the Sherrill Center, can seat up to 3,800 people for concerts, commencements, convocations, lectures, intercollegiate men’s and women’s basketball games, health fairs, and community events.

Rankings

U.S. News & World Report

UNC Asheville ranks seventh in the nation among public liberal arts colleges. U.S. News & World Report also listed UNC Asheville's Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects Program, and the university's Department of Management & Accountancy as among the nation's best. UNC Asheville also is included in the U.S. News "A+ Schools for B Students" list which recognizes schools that seek and admit a broad and engaged student body, and where spirit and hard work, individuality and seriousness of purpose are valued by the admissions office. - U.S. News & World Report's "2018 Best Colleges" (September 2017).

The Princeton Review

UNC Asheville is ranked in the top two nationally on the "Best Schools for Making an Impact" list - No. 1 in 2016 and No. 2 in 2018 - The Princeton Review guidebook, Colleges That Pay You Back: The 200 Best Value Colleges and What It Takes to Get In - 2016 & '18Editions. (February 2016 and January 2018)

The Princeton Review features UNC Asheville among The Best 382 Colleges, earning a spot on two of the top 20 lists, coming in at No. 18 for “Town-Gown Relations are Great” and No. 20 for “College City Gets High Marks.” The Princeton Review selected the 382 colleges and universities based on academic strength and surveys of students. Students quoted said, "Most people’s favorite part of the university is the faculty, who are ‘engaged, helpful, thoughtful scholars and educators.’ These professors are ‘incredible at bringing new knowledge and facts and explaining both, while also leaving us enough room to formulate and even question our own opinions.’ Many ‘strive to be creative and flexible with their delivery,’ and the small class sizes allow students to build one-on-one relationships with professors and ‘feel more like a peer than a number in the classroom.’” Students also cite “incredible downtown Asheville choices” and an “amazing local food scene,” as well as the Blue Ridge Mountains and time spent outdoors. - The Princeton Review’s The Best 382 Colleges – 2018 Edition (August 2017)

WNC Sierra Club

UNC Asheville was named "Green University of the Year" by the Sierra Club of Western North Carolina. In announcing the award, the Wenoca Chapter cited UNC Asheville's significant sustainablity initiatives and the work of the university's Student Environmental Center. (December 2016)

The Fiske Guide to Colleges

UNC Asheville is once again named a "Best Buy," along with UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University - the only North Carolina public universities to earn a place on this international ranking list reflecting academic quality and affordability. - The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2018 (July 2017)

For 14 consecutive years, UNC Asheville's Environmental Studies Program has been named to the list of pre-professional programs with unusual strength in preparing students for careers. - The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2018 Edition (July 2017)

Kiplinger's Best College Values

UNC Asheville is among the top 100 best values in public colleges, ranking ninth nationally in lowest total cost of attending for in-state students. - Kiplinger's Best College Values (online, December 2017)

Military Friendly® Schools

UNC Asheville was designated a 2017 Military Friendly® School by Victory Media, a service-disabled, veteran-owned business. “UNC Asheville is an excellent choice for military members because it provides an exceptional Liberal Arts education at a public institution price. … It also is home to a veteran student organization, the Veterans Alliance, and proactively seeks to support Veterans in their transition into Higher Education.” – 2017 Military Friendly® Schools and Employers (November, 2016)

Asheville Rankings

Forbes named Asheville one of 15 Coolest Places to Go in 2018; Asheville is the only U.S. location on that list. (December 2017)

Lonely Planet named Asheville the top U.S. destination for 2017. (January 2017)

Travel + Leisure named Asheville one of the Top 15 Cities in the U.S. (July 2017)

Conde Nast Traveler named Asheville one of the top 15 best small cities in the U.S. (October 2017)

Forbes named Asheville one of the 50 best places for business and careers. (2017)

Helpful Links

Campus Update

The Danish Girl to Screen Feb. 19; Author David Ebershoff to Read on Feb. 21

David Ebershoff, author of The Danish Girl and The 19th Wife will read and discuss his works on Feb. 21 in the Sherrill Center; the film version of The Danish Girl screens in Highsmith Union on Feb. 19.